Wiggins shows off new Rapha-designed Team Sky jersey

Tour de France winner Bradley Wiggins became known for the yellow jerseys he won in various events in 2012 but has brought in the new year clad in a very different garment; the new Rapha-designed and manufactured Team Sky maillot, which will be used by him and the rest of the team in the season ahead.

Dropping the blue chest panel in favour of a shift to the left sleeve, where a blue armband-style design features, the jersey is at a glance more plain than before. The Sky logo logically dominates the pictured branding, with bike supplier Pinarello, clothing provider Rapha and the UCI’s WorldTour logo also appearing.

Wiggins’ jersey features a Union Jack flag on the right arm, signifying his 2011 victory in the British championships.

He will wear the jersey for much of the 2013 season, although his goals are to swop it for a race leader’s jersey whenever he gets the chance.

The Rapha agreement sees the British manufacturer take over from the previous branded supplier Adidas, which had the garments made by Moa/Nalini. It is a four year partnership and the company will also supply off-bike clothing to the riders.

Rapha founder and chief executive Simon Mottram is greatly encouraged by the fact that the company is now a partner of the 2012 UCI WorldTour team victors.

“We are delighted that, after only eight years as a business, we have been chosen by Team Sky, the world’s number one team, as their partner,” he said today. “We share their passion for performance and team ethic and are enthusiastic to inspire and engage a wider fan base around the globe.

“This partnership, bringing us closer to the races, riders and drama at the highest level of our sport, is an incredible opportunity.”

Brailsford said that Rapha shares the team’s ‘ambition and vision’ for the sport.

The photo of the jersey released by the team today also shows the national champions’ kit of Norwegian road race victor Edvald Boasson Hagen and the current British title holder, Ian Stannard.